Nutraceuticals Topic Index

The above distinction between pharmaceuticals and nutrients is cute, but facile and erroneous. Pharmaceuticals
are substances which have (or have had) patent protection as a result of expensive testing to conform to the specifications
of a government agency. Many nutrients will never receive government approval because no one could justify the
expense of government testing requirements for substances & uses which cannot be protected by patent. Both
pharmaceuticals & nutrients can both cure & prevent disease -- but only pharmaceuticals have government
sanction. Many pharmaceuticals have their origin in plants & animals -- and are no less "natural" than
nutrients. Synthetic vitamins are called nutrients.